frederick the great and his family-第120章

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　I　am　a　wall…frog；　who　has　nothing　to　do　but　creep　into　my　hole；　and；　when　I　have　vitality　enough；　to　spit　my　venom　upon　the　passers…by。　As　to　my　friends；　I　have　nothing　to　relate；　I　have　no　friends！　I　hate　all　mankind；　and　I　am　hated　by　all。　I　am　especially　on　my　guard　with　those　who　pretend　to　love　me；　I　know　that　they　are　deceitful　and　traitorous；　that　they　are　only　actuated　by　selfish　motives。〃

〃Poor　sister；〃　said　the　king；　sadly；　〃how　unhappy　must　you　be　to　speak　thus！　Can　I　do　nothing　to　alleviate　your　misfortune？〃

Amelia　laughed　loudly　and　scornfully。　〃Forgive　me；　your　majesty；　but　your　question　reminds　me　of　a　merry　fairy　tale　I　have　just　read　of　a　cannibal　who　is　in　the　act　of　devouring　a　young　girl。　The　poor　child　pleaded　piteously　for　her　life；　naturally　in　vain。　'I　cannot；　of　course；　give　you　your　life；'　said　the　cannibal；　'but　I　will　gladly　grant　you　any　other　wish　of　your　heart。　Think；　then；　quickly；　of　what　you　most　desire；　and　be　assured　I　will　fulfil　your　request。'　The　pretty　maiden；　trembling　with　horror　and　despair；　could　not　collect　her　thoughts。　Then；　after　a　short　pause；　the　cannibal　said；　'I　cannot　wait；　I　am　hungry！　but　in　order　to　grant　you　a　little　longer　time　to　determine　upon　the　favor　you　will　ask；　I　will　not；　as　I　am　accustomed　to　do；　devour　the　head　first；　I　will　commence　with　the　feet。'　So　saying；　he　cut　off　the　legs　and　ate　them；　and　on　cutting　off　each　limb　he　graciously　asked　the　poor　shuddering；　whimpering　being；　'Well；　why　do　you　not　think？　Is　there；　then；　no　favor　I　can　show　you？'　Confess　now；　sire；　that　this　was　a　most　magnanimous　cannibal。〃

Frederick　laughed　heartily；　and　appeared　not　to　understand　his　sister's　double　meaning。

〃You　are　right；〃　said　he；　〃that　is　a　merry　fairy　tale；　and　brings　the　tears　to　my　eyesI　scarcely　know　whether　from　laughter　or　weeping。　Where　did　you　read　it；　my　sister？〃

〃The　fire…spirits　who　spring　up　and　down　in　the　chimney　so　lustily；　related　it　to　me。　Oh；　sire；　these　are　merry　sprites；　and　often　in　my　solitude；　when　I　am　sitting　in　my　arm…chair　in　the　chimney…corner；　they　nod　to　me；　and　chat　freely　of　by…gone　times；　and　the　days　which　are　to　come。〃

〃I　fear　they　have　not　much　that　is　cheerful　or　encouraging；　certainly　not　much　that　is　interesting　to　tell　you；〃　said　Frederick。

〃To　those　who；　like　us；　have　passed　the　meridian　of　life；　and　are　going　rapidly　down…hill；　the　surroundings　become　ever　duller　and　more　drear；　for　us　there　are　no　more　great　and　agreeable　surprises；　the　farther　they　advance；　the　more　lonely　and　desolate　it　appears；　life　has　no　more　to　offer；　and　they　are　glad　at　last　to　reach　the　valley　and　lie　down　in　quiet　graves。　But　while　we　live　and　are　still　wanderers；　Amelia；　we　must　not　fold　our　hands　in　idleness；　we　must　work　and　achieve。　You　also；　my　sister；　must　be　active　and　energetic；　an　unusual　opportunity　is　now　offered　you。　The　Abbess　of　Quedlinberg　is　dead；　and　you　can　now　enter　upon　her　duties。〃

〃And　your　majesty　thinks　it　is　really　a　worthy　vocation　for　me　to　go　to　Quedlinberg　and　become　the　shepherdess　of　that　fearful　flock　of　old　maids　who　took　refuge　in　a　nunnery　because　no　man　desired　them？　No；　your　majesty；　do　not　send　me　to　Quedlinberg；　it　is　not　my　calling　to　build　up　the　worthy　nuns　into　saints　of　the　Most　High。　I　am　too　unsanctifled　myself　to　be　an　example　to　them；　and；　in　fact；　I　feel　no　inclination　to　purify　them　from　their　sins。〃

〃Well；　that　might　be　found　a　difficult　task；〃　said　the　king；　laughing；　〃and　it　would　not　make　you　beloved。　Men　love　nothing　so　much　as　their　vices；　and　they　hate　those　who　would　free　them　from　their　cherished　yoke。　You　can；　however；　remain　in　Berlin　and　still　accept　this　office；　once　so　worthily　rilled　by　the　lovely　Aurora　of　Konigsmark。　King　Augustus　gave　her；　at　least；　with　this　refuge；　provided　by　his　love；　a　rich　widow's　income；　and　you　can　now；　Amelia；　enjoy　the　fruit　of　that　love　which　at　one　time　filled　all　Europe　with　admiration。　The　salary　of　the　abbess　amounts　to　seventeen　thousand　thalers；　and　I　think　this　addition　to　your　fortune　will　be　welcome。　Your　income　will　now　be　forty　thousand　thalers。〃

〃Lodging　and　fuel　included；〃　said　Amelia；　with　a　sarcastic　laugh。　〃Look　you；　sire；　I　see　that　I　have　nothing　to　complain　of。　My　hospital　is　splendidly　endowed；　and　if　I　should　ever　become　miserly；　I　may　be　able　to　lay　aside　a　few　thalers　yearly。〃

〃I　will　gladly　put　it　in　your　power　to　lay　aside　a　larger　sum；　if　you　become　covetous；〃　said　the　king；　〃and　I　beg　you；　therefore；　to　allow　me　the　pleasure　of　raising　your　salary　as　princess；　six　thousand　thalers。〃　＇Footnote：　History　of　Berlin　and　Court。＇

Amelia　looked　at　him　distrustfully。　〃You　are　very　gracious　to　me　to…　day；　my　brother。　You　grant　favors　before　I　ask　them。　I　confess　to　you　this　alarms　and　agitates　me。　You　have　perhaps　some　bad　news　to　disclose；　and　fearing　I　will　be　crushed　by　it；　you　desire；　beforehand；　to　apply　a　balsam。〃

The　king's　glance　was　tender　and　sympathetic。　〃Poor　Amelia！　you　will；　then；　never　believe　in　my　affection；〃　said　he；　mildly。　〃You　distrust　even　your　brother！　Oh；　Amelia！　life　has　hardened　us　both。　We　entered　upon　the　stage　of　life　with　great　but　fleeting　illusions。　How　gloriously　grand　and　beautiful　did　the　world　appear　to　us；　now　we　look　around　us　soberly；　almost　hopelessly！　What　remains　of　our　ideals？　What　has　become　of　the　dreams　of　our　youth？〃

〃The　storm…winds　have　shattered　and　scattered　them；〃　cried　Amelia；　laughing。　〃The　evil　fiend　has　ploughed　over　the　fair　soil　of　your　youth　and　turned　it　to　stone　and　ashes。　I　am　content　that　this　is　so　I　would　rather　wander　amongst　ruins　and　dust　and　ashes　than　to　walk　gayly　over　a　smooth　surface　with　whose　dark　caves　and　pitfalls　I　was　unacquainted；　and　which　might　any　day　ingulf　me。　When　both　foundation　and　superstructure　lie　in　ruins　at　your　feet；　you　have　nothing　more　to　fear。　But　I　say　this　for　myself；　sire；　not　for　you；　the　fame…crowned　king；　who　has　astonished　the　world　by　his　victories；　and　now　fills　it　with　admiration　by　the　wisdom　with　which　he　governs　his　subjects　and　advances　the　glory　of　his　kingdom！〃

〃My　child；〃　said　the　king；　mildly；　〃fame　has　no　longer　any　attraction　for　me。　Nero　was　also　renowned；　he　burned　cities　and　temples；　and　tortured　Seneca　to　death。　Erostratus　succeeded　in　making　his　name　imperishable　I　am　utterly　indifferent　as　to　the　world's　admiration　of　my　wisdom　and　power　to　govern。　I　try　to　do　my　duty　as　a　king。　But　I　tell　you；　child；　in　one　little　corner　of　the　king's　heart　there　remains　ever　something　human；　and　the　poor　creature　man　sometimes　cries　out　for　a　little　personal　comfort　and　happiness。　One　may　be　very　rich　as　a　king；　but　pooroh；　how　poor　as　a　man！　Let　us；　however；　dismiss　these　sad　thoughts。　I　was　speaking　to　you　of　money；　Amelia。　We　will　return　to　this　theme。　I　cannot　prevent　your　heart　from　suffering；　but　I　can　secure　to　you　every　outward　good。　Your　income；　until　now；　has　been　small；　tell　me　what　debts　you　have　contracted；　and　I　will　pay　them！〃

〃Your　majesty　falls　into　my　room　like　a　shower　of　gold；〃　cried　Amelia；　〃you　will　find　no　Danae　here；　only　an　ugly　old　maid；　who　is；　however；　ready　to　receive　the　glittering　treasure；　but　you　give　me　credit　for　too　good　a　memory　when　you　think　I　know　the　amount　of　my　debts。　I　only　know　the　sum　now　in　my　casket。〃

〃And　what　is　the　amount；　Amelia？〃

〃A　cipher；　sire；　your　majesty　knows　this　is　the　end　of　the　month。〃

〃I　know　it；　my　sister；　and　I　therefore　beg　you　to　accept　from　me　to…　day　a　small　sum　in　advance。　I　dreamt　last　night　that　you　had　recently　been　called　upon　to　pay　out　four　thousand　louis　d'or。　This　dream　was　significant；　it　seemed　to　me　a　suggestion　to　give　you　this　sum。　I　therefore　sent；　in　your　name；　an　order　on　my　treasurer　for　four　thousand　louis　d'or。〃

Amelia　looked　at　him　and　trembled　with　terror。　〃Do　you　know　the　use　to　which　I　have　applied　this　sum？〃　said　she；　breathlessly。

〃My　dream　was　silent　on　this　point；〃　said　Frederick；　rising；　〃it　only　told　me　that　you　needed　this　amount；　nothing　more。　If　I　had　been　curious；　I　might　have　asked　your　page；　who　has　an　acute　ear；　and　for　whom　no　key…hole　is　too　small。〃

〃Ah；　he　has　betrayed　me；　then；〃　murmured　Amelia。

Frederick　did　not　appear　to　hear　her；　he　took　his　hat；　and　offered　his　sister　his　hand。　Amelia　did　not　see　it；　she　stood　as　if　turned　to　stone　in　the　middle　of　the　room；　and　as　the　king　advanced　toward　the　door；　she　stepped　slowly　and　mechanically　after　him。

Suddenly　the　king　turned　and　looked　at　his　sister。

〃I　had　almost　forgotten　to　tell　you　a　piece　of　news；〃　said　he；　carelessly；　〃something　which　will　perhaps　interest　you；　Amelia。　Even　at　this　moment　a　prisoner　is　being　released　from　his　cell　and　restored　to　life　and　liberty。　The　Empress　Maria　Theresa；　influenced　by　her　fireman；　it　is　said；　has　appealed　to　me〃

Princess　Amelia　uttered　a　heart…rending　shriek；　and　rushing　forward　she　seized　the　arm　of　the　king　with　both　her　trembling　hands。

〃Brother！　oh；　brother；　be　merciful！　do　not　make　cruel　sport　of　me。　I　acknowledge　I　appealed　to　the　fireman　of　the　empress。　I　offered　him　four　thousand　louis　d'or　if　he　would　intercede　for　Trenck。　I　see　that　you　know　all；　I　deny　nothing。　If　I　have　committed　a　crime　worthy　of　death；　condemn　me；　but　do　not　inflict　such　fearful　tortures　before　my　execution。　Do　not　mock　at　my　great　grief；　but　be　pitiful。　Look　upon　me　brother；　look　at　my　withered　limbs；　my　deformed　visage；　is　not　my　punishment　sufficient？　torture　me　no　longer。　You　return　me　the　sum　of　money　I　sent　to　Vienna；　does　that　mean　that　you　have　discovered　and　destroyed　my　plot？　Is　this　so；　brother？　Have　you　the　heart　to　play　this　cruel　jest　with　me？　Having　thus　made　my　last　attempt　fruitless；　do　you　tell　me　in　mockery　that　Trenck　is　free？〃　She　held　the　arm　of　the　king　firmly；　and　half　sinking　to　her　knees；　she　looked　up　at　him　breathlessly。

〃No；　Amelia；〃　said　Frederick；　and　his　voice　trembled　with　emotion。　〃No；　I　have　not　that　cruel　courage。　The　hand　of　your　clock　points　now　to　twelve；　at　this　moment　Trenck　leaves　Magdeburg　in　a　closed　carriage；　accompanied　by　two　soldiers。　To…morrow　he　will　reach　Prague；　and　then　he　is　free　to　go　where　he　will；　only　not　in　Prussia。　Trenck　is　free。〃

〃Trenck　is　free！〃　repeated　Amelia；　with　a　shout　of　joy；　she　sprang　from　her　knees；　clasped　the　king　in　a　close　embrace；　and　wept　upon　his　bosom　such　tears　as　she　had　not　shed　for　many　long　yearstears　of　holy　happiness；　of　rapture　inexpressible；　then　suddenly　releasing　him；　she　ran　rapidly　about　the　room；　in　the　midst　of　bitter　weeping　breaking　out　into　loud　ringing　laughter；　a　laugh　which　rung　so　fresh；　so　joyous；　it　seemed　an　echo　from　her　far…off　happy　childhood。　〃Trenck　is　free！　free！〃　repeated　she　again；　〃and；　oh；　unspeakable　happiness！　I　obtained　him　his　liberty！　ah；　no；　not　I；　but　a　poor　Savoyard　who　wished　a　dower　for　his　daughter。　Oh；　ye　great　ones　of　the　earth；　speak　no　more　of　your　glory　and　power；　a　poor　Savoyard　was　mightier　than　you　all！　But　no；　no；　what　have　I　said？　you；　my　brother；　you　have　released　him。　To　you　Trenck　owes　his　life　and　liberty。　I　thank　you　that　these　fearful　chains；　which　held　my　soul　in　bondage；　have　fallen　apart。　Once　more　I　breathe　freely；　without　the　appalling　consciousness　that　every　breath　I　draw　finds　this　echo　in　a　cavern　of　the　earth。　You　have　released　me